Unseen Consequences, Continued [OPEN]

[saltybirds]

Characters: Crew of the 4423 and the Victoria II and anyone specifically invited (or if you want to try to sneak it, but there will be CONSEQUENCES if you are caught)
Content: It's time for the Ball's banquet! This directly follows the threads here. There's no mod-established seating arrangements, so go with whatever you like.
Setting: The banquet

Comments

[omgwtfwrench]

Things actually seemed to be doing okay. Sure things were still a little awkward, but no fights had broken out, the tension seemed a little slighter--dinner had gone on relatively well and soon everything would be wrapped up. Hopefully things would stay as they were, it'd be awful for them to have made it this far only for things to go to moot at the last second.

The girl had opted to wait a little before eating, still wanting to talk with several people, crew members in particular to remind them to watch themselves. Not that it would probably do much good, but she felt compelled to anyway. Because of this she had grabbed her share of food a little later and had only settled down to eat, perhaps ten minutes ago.

She sat a little bit away from where most people were congregated, wanting a little moment for a breather. It had been so long since she had attended a social event of this magnitude. Someone as outgoing as her wasn't typically bothered by such things, but with all the worries of what might happen running around in her head it couldn't be helped.

Besides, this way, it was much easier to keep an eye on things.

[dreadpirateer]

Having abandoned the girls with whom he'd attended the ball itself, since they weren't allowed in the banquet hall anyway and he'd gotten bored with them before the evening was through (too focused on a) the food or b) the worthless trash littering the sides), Agon was out for some company now that the banquet was winding down.

The guys he'd been sitting with hadn't been too bad, but then, they'd largely kept their traps shut; when Agon was a in a less-than-stellar mood, people tended to that. At least the trash still had some sense of self-preservation.

There was no trace of that particular black aura, though, when he accosted the bright-eyed blonde who'd withdrawn to one side of the proceedings. It was purely chance; he'd just swiped two glasses of white wine and gone looking for better company, and nearly tripped over her. Not that Agon had anything to complain about, after seeing the obstacle's face.

"My bad," he recovered with a crooked grin, and settled his imposing bulk into a relatively friendly slouch at her side. "Let me make up for that?" The proffered wine glass glinted gently, and although his ever-present sunglasses were still on his face (not for long!), he tilted his head in a distinctly whimsical fashion, the picture of the pleasantly surprised.

[omgwtfwrench]

Winry had finished up her meal. She hadn't had much, really, she had made sure to have a good meal before coming here for several reasons she'd rather not ponder for optimism's sake. The blonde sighed, eyes once again examining the room when something caught her interest. Ffamran and Sho, the boy she'd recently met, were not too far away and seemed engrossed in conversation. She wondered if Ffamran knew him well...Winry figured she really shouldn't care, but after having had enough time to calm down after their weird conversation she couldn't help but be curious about a bunch of things he had said.

The young mechanic was so absorbed in watching them she barely processed what happened when Agon nearly tripped over her. She managed to steady herself despite being completely caught off guard, and looked up with an irritated expression on her face to see what the deal with this person was.

When he apologized though, the sense of annoyance left; it had just been an accident. "Oh it's quite alright." she said, waving a dismissive hand, eyes now turning curious. She didn't recognize him at all, so he was obviously from the Victoria.

Though it hadn't been that big a deal, Winry was none the less grateful for the offer, however...

"Oh! Are you certain? Is that not for someone else?" If he had two glasses she was assuming he must have gotten it for someone else, she didn't want him to feel as if had to make up for such a minor thing.

[penurium]

Well, that had been fun. Only not. Hiei had shown up, and despite his usually charming attitude, the lack of booze had put him off. He excused himself from their company to eat, and now that he was done, he was bored again. There was no fun in sitting at these alone. He glanced around and spotted Rockbell off to the side. Oh, there we go.

He wasn't completely comfortable around her. Several things surrounding the incident where his other half got out were still pretty vague, and he wasn't sure how much she really knew. It was a case of walking on egg shells.

But, she was good company, and right now, that's what he wanted. He strolled over to her and saw the oaf trip over her with wine. He twitched his mouth into a frown and approached the table. "Hey, Rockbell, mind if I sit?"

He glanced at Agon in an unimpressed way. Fucking military bastards.

[dreadpirateer]

Well, it wouldn't be too impressive to sound like he'd been scouting for company, would it? "My date didn't have clearance," he said instead, glancing wryly at the double doors that led into the erstwhile dance hall. "So I insist." Closing her fingers are the glass's stem, he freed his hand to push the encumbering sunglasses up on his head, hair bundling with a rustle.

"Sub-Lieutenant Kongou Agon, Victoria II." He gave her a glance that was both curious and appraising, swirling his own wine glass in counterpoint to the focus. Greed's arrival was acknowledged with in a beat, a glance, and a barely-there nod, before he turned back to Winry. "You only look a little familiar, and I don't forget a pretty face--4423 crew?"

[omgwtfwrench]

Something still didn't seem to quite connect, but he had already placed the glass in her hand and she saw no harm if he wanted to be kind. Her eyes followed his to the doors and she wondered what it was that had kept his date out.

"Well, thank you then." Winry very gently circled the glass before taking a small sip--it was good. So much better than the stuff she was use to in the questionable bars of Vohemar and the Badlands.

As the girl looked at her new companion curiously, Greed made his appearance and Winry ripped her eyes away to look at the quartermaster. Much like Greed, she too couldn't help but feel rather dubious towards him, considering what had recently happened. Today wasn't the time to deal with that, though, as guilty as she felt for Ling.

"Of course not, Greed. You are more than welcome."

Her attention returned to Agon and she gave a small smile "That is correct. My name is Winry Rockbell, First Mate onboard the 4423." Thus far, Agon was the person of highest position she had met for the Victoria II, so she made a goal to be clear on her position concerning the peace negotiation. It was far time they put this mess behind them.

"And this," she said looking back at Greed, "is one of our quartermasters."

[penurium]

Greed took his seat at Rockbell's table and glanced back up at Agon. Hmph. He didn't look all that impressive. He gave him a sort of 'Greed' smile anyways. He had to at least appear convincing. Until it all went to hell, anyhow. He knew it would.

He gave Agon a nod or so with a raised hand before glancing at Rockbell. "Nice dress," He commented, having seen it for the first time that night. He had to admit, she did look rather stunning when she tried. Usually she was just covered in grease and hurling wrenches.

Hm, she'd helped him get his suit for this thing, he'd get around to thanking her at some point. Maybe. Probably.

[dreadpirateer]

"Don't mention it," he leaned back to allow more space at the table for talk, albeit the last thing he really felt like doing was including Greed--the general unimpressed attitude was completely mutual. "And I'll have to back that one. Not all military women are that good at the dress-up functions out of uniform."

There were a few things riding on his behaving in general tonight; he was going to go all out later, anyway. This was just a bonus and a whetter for appetite. Maybe an appetizer.

Her rank did make him pause for a second, though, and he didn't bother to cover, raising an eyebrow and noting good-naturedly, "I'm impressed. You look pretty young to be that high up in the world, unless those rumors about Vohemar and their unconventional military are actually true."

[omgwtfwrench]

"Thank you." she said to the both of them, more surprised to hear it coming from Greed. It was probably the first of that sort of compliment she had gotten (maybe even one of the first compliments she had gotten at all.) Winry owed a lot of her appearance today to Rikku and Naoto though---the three of them had gotten all the clothes for this event together, even though Rikku had been uninvited. It had been kind of her to help. Winry would have to do something for her in turn.

Unlike Isako, Winry was never bothered by the incredulous attitude people took when they learned of her ranking. She couldn't blame Agon, or anyone else the disbelief. Really, though Winry considered herself quite competent, had it been any other ship, or had Isako been older than herself, she was certain she wouldn't have landed the part. It was a stroke of luck, more than anything that she had come upon the 4423 when she had.

"It's very true, unconventional in most of its aspects. With Vohemar's near lawless state it really leaves the Captain absolute roam of who they wish on the ship. I would doubt background, age, or any other like characteristic would play much role." Whereas she was certain Ivona had certain laws. Then there also was the fact that due to Vohemar's difficult state it rather forced children to grow up and toughen quite quickly, so she was sure most children from there were more capable of the life of piracy than a child of equal age in Ivona. Heh, perhaps even an adult.

But she supposed none of that really applied to her.

Greed was yet another example of someone very young attaining a high rank...as was Agon.

"Sub-Lieutenant is as well. You are...what? Nineteen?" she ventured, glancing at Greed for a quick comparison. Ages were never her forte.